Wow. This is an extensive history of the sun. I enjoyed learning all that I did in this book, though I feel it is a bit too deep for most young children.

A picture book that reads as a series of informational biographies, or a collection of inventions that have led to our use of solar technology, this would not be ideal for a read-aloud from cover to cover. But it would absolutely work as a reference text to accompany a unit on solar energy, engineering, or inventions. Since each inventor or event is a bit of a separate story, students and teachers can jump in at the point they are studying, and put the book aside until more information is needed.

If writing a biography, this would also be a great resource for various inventors over the years who have tried ways to harness the sun's energy. This is also a call to action to work to preserve our world's resources.

Tae Keller is a fantastic author who writes a beautiful story, and it would be worth a read or even a read-aloud for older students. I recommend this book for schools.

I appreciate that solar power got a narrative.
There were some interesting illustrations, but overall, the style did not work for me.
My child learnt many facts and great information about solar energy that they are too excited to share with their classmates.

This children's book is filled with amazing illustrations that will catch the eye of readers of all ages. The content reads more like an introduction to the history of solar energy and feels a bit doom and gloomy in today's current political environment. I would hand this book to families who are environmentally conscious, curious about the natural world, or looking for books about environmental activism. In the right hands this book will be very impactful.

We Carry the Sun is an interesting picture about the sun and how mankind has looked to the sun for different types of innovations. It is an amazing overview of the history of solar power and some of the people that have contributed to using the sun for warmth and energy. Rachel Wada’s art is amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for this DRC.
#WeCarrytheSun #NetGalley

We Carry the Sun written by Tae Keller, illustrated by Rachel Wada is a beautifully illustrated work with soft pastel color compositions with auras and beams of light emanating from its subjects. The writing is informative and lyrical, concise and at times poetic. Readers will learn how human ingenuity has attempted to harness the sun’s energy throughout history. It shows how humans have hurt the earth with their use of fossil fuels, yet inventors continue to experiment finding new inventions to capture the sun. The message is hopeful for future generations. A necessary edition for the school library and environmentally conscious collections.

Thank you Norton Young Readers and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this ebook.

There was a good idea here, but let me just say one thing: I am so sick of kids' books that are about climate change and making a difference. Not saying that I don't support it. I definitely think that we need to take action and fight climate change while we still can. What I AM saying is that it's a topic in kids' books that has gotten old quick. I think that this book tried to switch it up a bit by narrowing the focus, but I think that it didn't succeed. It kind of ended up being like every other climate change kids' book out there. However, I will say that a lot of the points made in this book were genuinely interesting, but they might not be super engaging to younger readers, unless they are passionate about this topic. Lastly, I really want to say that the middle section about how we're so focused on oil that we're killing our planet was so. Depressing. Absolutely honest, if I was a little kid reading this I would burst into tears. It's scary! I understand that the author is trying to make an impact, but you can make an impact in a different way.
All in all, this book was disappointing and not for me.

We Carry the Sun tells the fascinating history of humanity harnessing energy from the sun. From observing and learning the sun's path to powering everything from watches to households, humans have come an incredibly long way in (as the title suggests) carrying the sun with us. I had no idea the concept of solar power went back quite so far! The author does a wonderful job of simplifying such a detailed history while still hitting the highlights -- and the illustrations are immersive and absolutely stunning in their own right!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book managed to make the history and science of solar power both interesting and accessible. I really appreciated that Keller honored multiple scientists and acknowledged that development usually isn't linear or solely on one single genius. Her lyrical style makes it read a little like a prose poem, which is fun.
Also the illustrations were really beautiful. The artwork alone is worth looking at.